Alienware M17X r4 common issues

Hi guys, since I'm planning to buy an m17x i just want to know what are the common issues your experiencing right now? I have read that m17x have overheating problem?

Please feel free to post the common issues you experienced and how did you resolve it.

Thank you!

 

I dont know anything about overheating problems, the problems with the hd7970m are fixed, so basiclly no problems with teh r4, its a sick laptop

 

Well i bought my M17x R4 like 3 weeks ago and tbh there's only one problem but that's nothing to do with the laptop. Laptop works perfectly and honestly i don't hit over 80C when gaming (Talking about far cry 3 on highest settings)

2 things though. 1) if you're planning to game for long sessions or ever have fps problems, pressing fn + f7 and running on only your gfx card makes it a lot better! though it drains battery like crazy, i barely got 2 hours playing dishonored.
2) Killer wireless n1103 networking card has issues with windows 8 pro. and until now there aren't any solutions except uninstalling the killer network manager (which is what gives it lower latency/ping and distinguishes it from other cards, so for now paying extra for a killer card is stupid.)

However, with the m17x itself, i have no issues at all.

 

Thanks for sharing this.

 

USB 3.0 default drivers can have problems with WD and some other manufacturer's external HDD (I had problems with iOmega Prestige portable 1TB). It depends if you are going to be using Windows 7 HP or 8.1 and I can't remember if the problems were there with Win 7. I am sure somebody will remember and correct me. HDD keeps disconnecting and re-connecting whenever it feels like it and becomes useless, as this could happen when you are doing a back up or watching a movie from the HDD.

The solution is here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...e-m17x-r4-usb-3-0-problem-20.html#post9031578


Killer wireless no longer gives the problems with Windows 8.1 Pro update 1, but I do not have network manager as mendameister pointed out.

Temps are ok even with some GPU overclocking (though I can only comment on 680m) if you clean your fans from time to time and do a proper re-paste job.

It would help if OP listed the system specs and OS since some are OS or hardware specific.

 

My R4 never had overheating problems, in fact it always seemed quieter then my new 17 IMO when it came to fan noise. The only "Problem" if you want to give it a name I can think of was my media bar had the paint flecking off and others had noticed the same problem. I ordered a micro fiber from shaggymax.com that sits between the screen and the keyboard preventing the problem from spreading.

 

Paint on the media bar and sound cards are the only problems the r4 had. No heat issues, generally they are the best model in the recent line up

 

There aren't any specific strange behaviors from the R4, you should be fine with the purchase. The 3.0 issue was with the drivers.

 

Just avoid the 675m. Its a rebadged 580m and does have many problems including overheating. If you get it with an existing warranty you are golden though.

 

Do not get a GTX 675m. I have to change mine, it died after only 1 year. it's a bad card. Beside that the R4 is really a nice laptop! Get a laptop cooler if you plan on using it on your lap.